Rotating magnetic fastener

ABSTRACT

A fastening system preferably using one or more spherical magnets attached to a first object or article for free relative rotation. If a second object or article is provided with one or more similar magnets, likewise rotatable relative to said object, after bringing the article into a spatial relationship where the magnetic force of one magnet has an effect on the other magnet, one or both magnets will rotate and position a polar region opposite to the polar region of the other magnet and thereby attract the other magnet and their associated objects or articles towards each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Provisional Application No. 60/710,508,filed Aug. 22, 2005, and claims priority as to the common subject matterin the respective applications.

FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC. ON CD

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to fastening devices, and more particularly tosystems utilizing magnets for releaseably attaching a first member to asecond member, or for releasably attaching a selected portion of aflexible or pliant member to other selected portions of the same member.

2. Description of Related Art

The use of magnets for releasably securing two elements together is notnew in the fastening art. Disregarding electromagnetic attraction, whichis not involved in the present invention, it is commonplace to place amagnet adjacent another magnet and if the polarity of the opposedadjacent faces of the magnets are opposite, i.e., a north pole of onemagnet facing the south pole of the other magnet, the two magnets willbe attracted to each other. Accordingly, if one or both magnets areattached to some other member, such member or members will be similarlyattracted to the other magnet or to the member to which such othermagnet is attached. In the examples cited, if the opposing faces of themagnets are the same, the magnets will repel each other and move apartrather than effecting a bond between them.

From the foregoing, it should be made clear that in order to create anattachment between the two magnets, and/or the members on which themagnets are mounted, the magnets must be aligned with opposite polarity.It is recognized that in many systems employing magnetic attractions,only a single magnet is used. In place of a second magnet, a ferrousmaterial is utilized. In such cases, there is a magnetic attractionbetween the magnet and the ferrous material irrespective of whether thenorth or south pole of the magnet is facing the ferrous material. Inmost cases, however, the use of two magnets will enhance the attractionbetween the same and thus increase the strength of the holding orattachment when the magnets are appropriately adjusted with oppositepoles of the two magnets facing each other. This is particularly truewhen it is desirable to use magnets of a small size. Then, the addedmagnetic attraction offered by two cooperating magnets can materiallyincrease their holding power.

Stated another way, in accordance with the teachings of the prior art,where two magnets are utilized, either the magnets or the objects onwhich the magnets are mounted must be oriented or positioned in someparticular spatial relationship with opposite polarity of the opposingfaces of the two magnets. By way of example, if we consider a hingeddoor which has one magnet secured in or on the same, adapted to bemagnetically attracted to a second magnet secured in or on the doorframe, there is no great problem in mounting the two magnets so thatwhen the door is moving towards a closed position, the opposite polarityof the magnets on the adjacent surfaces of the door and on the framerespectively will cause the door to shut and be releasably secured tothe door frame. However, in other situations, the object carrying onemagnet may not have any fixed or predetermined spatial relationship tothe object carrying the other magnet. For example, if one wanted toreleasably attach a non-ferrous tool to a non-ferrous wall surface, onecould attach a first magnet in or on the wall with its north pole facingoutwardly from the wall. A second magnet could then be attached to thetool with the north and south poles of the magnet being on oppositesides of the tool. To attach the tool to the wall it would be necessaryto position the tool so that the south pole of its magnet was facing thewall so as to display an opposing polarity to the north pole of the wallmagnet.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, even thoughtwo magnets with discrete polarities are secured to two discreteobjects, it is not necessary for the user to orient the objects toproperly position opposite poles of the two magnets into facingrelationship. Instead, the present invention contemplates the use of atleast one magnet, and sometimes both magnets, being rotatable in or onthe object to which the magnet is secured, so that as the objects arebrought into adjacent relationship, one or both magnets will rotateuntil the north pole of one of the magnets is facing the south pole ofthe second magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a spherical magnet with its north polefacing upwardly from the lane of the drawing sheet.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a pair of similar spherical magnets being movedtowards each other as indicated by the arrows, and with the poles of onemagnet randomly positioned relative to the poles of the other magnet.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the two magnets illustrated in FIG. 2 after themagnets have been moved close enough to permit the respective magneticfields of each magnet to affect the other magnet.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a spherical magnet freely rotatable in ahousing attached to a sheet of material.

FIG. 5 describes a spherical magnet rotatable within a pocket or hemformed in a piece of cloth or other flexible material.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing another embodiment of mymagnetic arrangement in which cylindrical magnets are substituted forthe spherical magnets of FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 7 is another view similar to FIG. 2 of a further 3 embodiment inwhich the magnets are multi-sided.

FIG. 8 is a fourth embodiment similar to FIG. 2 in which the magnets arecube shaped.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 diagrammatically illustrate the principal of the presentinvention. FIG. 1 represents a spherical magnet 12 and such magnets areknown in the art. Spherical magnets are usually formed from ahomogeneous mass of a ferrous material, but it is believed that they canalso be created by shaping or molding a plurality of ferrous particlesinto a spherical configuration. As is typical with all magnets, onepolar region 14 constitutes the north pole of the spherical magnet,while the opposite polar region 16 constitutes the south pole.

FIG. 2 illustrates two of the magnets 12 which may be secured orattached to respective members or different portions of the same member,but are merely shown as the magnets themselves for the purpose ofexplanation. The two magnets may be placed in any spatial relationshipto each other, and it makes no difference where the discrete polarregions are disposed relative to the other magnet's polar region. If auser brings the two magnets (and the members to which they are attached)from a first position where the magnetic forces of the magnets have noeffect on each other, to a closer position where the strength of themagnetic force will be imposed on the other magnet, the north and southpoles of the respective magnets will attempt to move in a spatialrelationship to the other magnet so that the opposite poles of therespective magnets face one another, and the magnets will be forciblyurged into contacting relationship. As shown in FIG. 2, there is nospecific relationship between the polar regions of the two magnets andas the magnets approach each other, assuming there is no restraint onthe rotational movement of the respective magnets, the north pole of onemagnet will rotate to be in opposing facing relationship to the southpole of the other magnet and the magnets will be magnetically urged intocontacting relationship. While it is stated above that one of themagnets rotates to provide this relationship, it should be made clearthat both magnets are capable of such rotation, and it is conceivableand likely that both magnets will rotate until the north and south polesof the respective magnets are in juxtaposition. As indicated earlier inthis application, the holding power of two magnets acting on each otheris greater than the force of one magnet acting on a ferrous piece ofmetal. It is for this reason that the concept of two magnets isincorporated in the present invention. Also, as will be later madeclear, the use of two magnets permits such magnets to be placed, forexample, on a towel, a bib, or a piece of clothing where it may bedesirable to be able to releasably attach or secure discrete portions ofthe base member such as the bib, in different folding relationships.

FIG. 3 illustrates the two spherical magnets after they have beenbrought sufficiently close where the magnetic forces have an effect oneach other. Assuming nothing is between the magnets, the magnets willengage each other with the north pole of one magnet against the southpole of the other magnet.

With the foregoing in mind, it will be understood that the magnets maybe secured to different types of members or objects. By way of example,the magnets may be attached to a piece of cloth as illustrated in FIG. 4by the use of a magnet holder for each of the spherical magnets. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, a piece of cloth 20 is provided with one or morespherical magnets 12 and the magnets are attached to the cloth by meansof a magnet holder 22. The magnet holder 22 comprises a pair ofcomplementary members 24 and 26, the member 24 having a generallydisk-like outer portion 28 which includes an annular flange 30 extendingat substantial right angles to the disk 28 inwardly of the outerperiphery thereof. The flange 28 may be inserted through a suitableaperture provided in the cloth.

The other side of the cloth is provided with member 26 which includes anannular flange 32 and an outer disk, similar to the flange 30 and disk28 of the first-mentioned complementary member. The disks are positionedagainst the opposite surfaces of the cloth with the peripheral edges ofthe disks overlying the annular portion of the cloth defining theopening. The flanges may be offset sufficiently so that the flangesinterlock and hold the complementary members in position on the cloth orother member 20. The opposing flanges define a chamber 40 in which thespherical magnet 12 is positioned. There is sufficient room in thechamber to permit the magnet to freely rotate and move within theconfines of the chamber. It will be understood that the members 24 and26 are made of a non-magnetic material so as not to interfere with themagnetic properties of the spherical magnet 12 or any other magnetbrought into juxtaposition therewith.

Due to the spherical nature of the magnet, the particular orientation ofthe housing containing the same is immaterial since the magnet iscapable of universal rotation within the chamber. Accordingly, andassuming there is a corresponding magnet and chamber on another portionof the cloth 20, the respective magnets may be physically moved towardseach other until the magnetic force on each magnet affects the othermagnet so as to appropriately align a north and south pole for attachingthe two magnets together. This can be extremely useful, and by way ofexample, a pair of such magnets may be placed along an edge of a pieceof cloth in the nature of a child's bib, and by wrapping the bib aroundthe neck of the child. The two magnets may be brought together adjacentthe rear portion of the child's neck, and cause to engage and hold thebib in position across the child's chest. Similarly, if it was desiredto provide a pocket for catching crumbs which fell down on the bib, itwould be possible to place magnets on the lower portion of the cloth asthe bib is worn and secure the bottom edge of the bib into a pocket-likeconfiguration by positioning the magnets at appropriate locations alongthe edge and along medial portions of the bib so that the sheet can befolded to provide the pocket. Numerous other arrangements can also beutilized in connection with the use of the spherical magnets on a pieceof cloth, or other pliant material. Also, it is not necessary that themagnets be attached to a pliant piece of material such as a cloth, sincethe magnets could also be placed on solid objects of a non-ferrouscomposition where the magnetic forces of two magnets are desired to holdthe object against another object of either fixed or moveable spatialrelationship to the first object.

FIG. 5 graphically represents a simpler method of securing the sphericalmagnet in or on a piece of cloth 50. In this case, the magnet 12 isinserted within a hem 52 provided on the one surface of the cloth andthe hem has sufficient leeway between the stitched portions to provide achamber 56 on one surface of the cloth in which the magnet 12 may bepositioned. In this case, no fixed attachment means are required but thecloth itself or an added piece of similar cloth may be provided tocreate a chamber in which the magnet is placed for free rotation. Thissystem will operate in the same manner as that just described whereinfixed and rigid attachment means are provided to support and constrainthe magnet against displacement while still permitting free rotation ofthe magnet relative to the cloth or member in which the magnet ispositioned. In place of stitches, the chamber may be provided by gluingor otherwise attaching portions of the cloth.

Throughout the application, reference is made to the spherical nature ofthe magnet and because of the fact that a sphere is capable of universalrotation in a more efficient manner than other shapes, the sphericalmagnet remains the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

However, it is believed that other shapes of magnets will equally servethe desired purposes. It is obvious that one would not want to use along bar magnet because of the difficulty of universally rotating thesame in a confined space. However, other shapes may be utilized. FIG. 6discloses relatively short cylindrical magnets 60 with north and southpoles on the outer ends of the cylinder. Cylindrical magnets of thistype can be rotated about their axis with ease and are still capable ofrotation about perpendicular axes, but if there are restraining portionsof the holders for the magnets, such latter rotation becomes moredifficult.

FIG. 7 discloses magnets 70 which have a plurality of sides and whichclosely resemble a sphere except for the flat edges. This could beoperable for many instances without detracting from the spirit of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further possibility of the use of magnets in thenature of a cube 80. Here again, while it is capable of rotating thecubes about universal axes, the corners could present difficulty inrotation under certain circumstances and again illustrates the advantageof utilizing the spheres discussed earlier in this application.

In view of the modified forms of magnet as described above, it should beunderstood that where the term “spherical magnet” is used, it isactually meant to embrace other shapes of magnets but in order tosatisfy the requirements of the present invention, it is preferred tohave other shapes such as those illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8 of aform in which the length and width of the magnets are generally thesame. This will permit a minimum size chamber necessary for constrainingthe magnet against displacement while permitting universal rotation ofthe magnet within such chamber.

Where the term “magnetic” is used herein, it is meant to include alltypes of permanent magnets including not only ferrous based magnets, butrare earth magnets and non-rare earth magnets as well.

1. A fastener system for releasably attaching a first member to a secondmember, a magnet, means for attaching said magnet to said first memberpermitting rotation of said magnet relative to said first member whileretaining said magnet against separating from said first member.
 2. Thefastener system of claim 1 in which said second member includes aferrous material.
 3. The fastener system of claim 2 in which saidferrous material comprises a magnet.
 4. The fastener system of claim 3including means for attaching said ferrous material to said secondmember permitting rotation of said ferrous material relative to saidsecond member while retaining said ferrous material against separationfrom said second member.
 5. The fastener system of claim 1 in which saidfirst member and said second member comprise separate portions of aflexible sheet of material.
 6. The fastener system of claim 1 in whichsaid first member comprises a flexible sheet, and said attaching meansincludes spaced stitched layers of said sheet between which said magnetis contained for free rotatable movement while preventing withdrawal ofsaid magnet from said sheet.
 7. The fastener system of claim 1 in whichsaid magnet is of generally spherical shape.
 8. The fastener system ofclaim 1 in which said magnet has a length substantially equal to itswidth.
 9. The fastener system of claim 3 in which said first member andsaid second member comprise portions of a flexible sheet, and in whichsaid attaching means includes stitched layers of said sheet betweenwhich said magnet is contained, and said ferrous material is constrainedbetween attached layers of said sheet spaced from said first mentionedstitched layers.
 10. The fastener system of claim 8 in which said magnetis of cylindrical configuration.
 11. The fastener system of claim 8 inwhich said magnet is of cube-like configuration.
 12. The fastener systemof claim 8 in which said magnet has a plurality of flat sides extendingfrom the opposite poles of the magnet.
 13. A fastener system forattaching a first portion of a flexible sheet of material to a secondportion of the same sheet or to another object, which includes providinga generally spherical magnet, providing said first portion of said sheetwith a means for attaching said magnet to said sheet, said meanscomprising a pair of complementary U-shaped housings insertable onopposite edges of said sheet to define a chamber therebetween, saidspherical magnet being freely rotatable in said chamber while beingrestrained from removal.